Disney Ride Reopens After Boy’s Death

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Walt Disney World reopened its Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Friday after determining that nothing mechanical caused the death of a 12-year-old rider yesterday.


According to Disney the boy, identified as Michael Russell, went limp while exiting the ride with his family. He was later pronounced dead at Celebration Hospital, Disney said.


Disney later learned the child died and closed the ride pending an investigation. An inspection of the attraction showed the ride was operating normally, Disney said. The company notified Orange County law enforcement and Florida’s Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection.


An autopsy was planned Friday to try to determine what had caused the boy’s death. His father, Byron Russell, an Iraq-war veteran, told authorities the boy was in good health.


When the ride finished Byron immediatly pulled his son off of the ride and began performing CPR until paramedics arrived, said Barbara Miller, Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman. The boy was pronounced dead shortly after when he arrived at Celebration Hospital.


Michael’s death was the latest in a string of tragedies at Walt Disney World in recent years. At least 15 people have died at Disney’s theme parks in Florida and California since 1989, including some with pre-existing health conditions. Disney-MGM is among Disney’s four Florida parks. Two people have died in the last year after going on another ride called “Mission: Space,” a rocketship-like attraction that simulates a flight to Mars. This is the first fatality on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.


“According to the family, he was a very healthy child,” Miller said. “The father repeated that he was healthy, he had no problems.”


Disney said Friday that an inspection found the roller coaster to be operating properly and no mechanical malfunctions were found. Disney and other large amusement parks are exempt from state oversight, but Disney has allowed government inspectors to be on hand after fatalities.

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